Selenium supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis investigated in a double blind, placebo-controlled trial

Introduction: Selenium is an essential [race element with antioxidant prope rties. Trials with selenium have been conducted in rheumatoid arthritis ( R A) to correct impaired selenium status and increase defences against delete rious oxidant species. Aim ol the study: To investigate in a double blind multi-centric placebo-co nt rolled study the effects of selenium supplementation in RA. Methods: Fifty five patients with moderate RA received during 90 days eithe r capsules containing selenium-enriched yeast (200 mug/d) or a placebo. Results: The visual analog scale, the Ritchie index, the number of swollen and painful joints, and morning stiffness significantly decreased with time in both groups (p < 0.001), but no difference between groups could be iden tified. When examining the quality of life a significant (p < 0.01) improve ment in arm movements and health reeling was evidenced in selenium-treated patients. Conclusion: Selenium treatment did not show clinical benefit on RA. Interes tingly, the improval in both groups demonstrated a placebo effect of the in tervention trial.